Released: Jun 29, 2012
Genre: Technical Death Metal
Label: Nuclear Blast
Number Of Tracks: 11
In times of djent and deathcore, it's still nice to see some technical death metal bands can still deliver and Nile does more than that with "At The Gate Of Sethu".
At The Gate Of Sethu
Reviewed by:
SPLANCHN0PHILE, on july 25, 2012 3 of 8 people found this review helpful
Sound: This album is incredible. I had an eargasm when I heard "At The Gate Of Sethu". This album contains some of Nile's finest and most brutal guitar work to date. I was slightly disappointed in "Those Whom The Gods Detest", but this album makes up for that in spades. This album features Nile's clearest sounding guitar tracks (their guitar tone is awful on their first albums IMO), which makes it easier to hear why Karl Sanders and Dallas Toler-Wade are some of the best guitarists in the business. // 9
Lyrics and Singing: When I listen to Nile, I normally don't focus or have high expectations for any deep or meaningful lyrics. If you're a technical death metal fan you know there's a lack of emphasis of lyrics, the must is most important. If you're a Nile fan you already know the content of their lyrics. // 7
Impression: In times of djent and deathcore, it's still nice to see some technical death metal bands can still deliver and Nile does more than that with "At The Gate Of Sethu". This is definitely their best since "Annihilation Of The Wicked". If you're an old school metal head like myself, are a Nile fan, want to hear something interesting, or a fan extreme music buy this album now! You won't be disappointed. // 10
At The Gate Of Sethu
Reviewed by:
unregistered, on july 26, 2012 0 of 1 people found this review helpful
Sound: Musically speaking this is a good effort from Nile. George Kolias is outstanding as always, and there are some seriously tasty riffs. This is some of their fastest material to date, which is a feat in it's own right. I'm not a fan of the guitar tone or the overall production though - it does sound far too thin. // 6
Lyrics and Singing: The lyrics are to the usual high standard expected of Nile; well written and full of substance. I appreciate their desire to try new angles and ideas, but personally the vocals don't do much for me (particularly Dallas Toler-Wade, who seems to give progressively worse performances with each album). Karl Sanders still has one of the most brutal low vocals I've ever heard, and his input is a welcome respite from all the strained shouting from Dallas. Bring back Chief Spires or Jon Vesano on vocals with Karl! // 4
Impression: For me, this album is no better or worse than "TWTGD". I won't be listening to it again for a while, as it didn't grab my attention in any way. If you've never heard Nile before, I would recommend Annihilation of the "Wicked Or In Their Darkened Shrines" as a starting point. This is a let down from one of my top bands. Such a disappointment. // 3
In times of djent and deathcore, it's still nice to see some technical death metal bands can still deliver and Nile does more than that with "At The Gate Of Sethu".
When I listen to Nile, I normally don't focus or have high expectations for any deep or meaningful lyrics. If you're a technical death metal fan you know there's a lack of emphasis of lyrics, the must is most important.
Dude...
Haven't listened to it yet, I'll do it anytime soon. I would not put Nile among my favorite death metal bands, but damn, they're brutal as ****. Gives me some headbanging every time I listen to them.
I normally don't focus or have high expectations for any deep or meaningful lyrics.
Actually I think they put a lot of time and research on their lyrics...
I read that Sanders has 'vast knowledge of egyptian mythology'. Its a little insulting to the effort he's put in to acquiring that knowledge, Mr Reviewer.
Good album, for some reason 2012 has been incredibly lacklustre for good metal albums, this will be in my head for a while.
I'm a big fan of Nile, and I thought that this album was a huge let down. The death metal aspects were watered down across the board in favor of pseudo-proggy elements. In fact, Nuclear Blast went so far as to label the album genre as "Progressive Metal."
The vocals were very different, often "shouted," and production was poor (unlike the reviewer, I found the guitar tone to be terrible, particularly how thin it was), and pretty much every song starts out with same little "tribal" sounding drum parts. There really wasn't even a single memorable riff on the whole album.
The only two positive things that come to mind are George Kollias's drumming (which is stellar as always) and the solos, which, while not amazing, were actually decent. For me this has always been a major weak spot for Nile: the decision to include the worst solos ever in their songs.
I really disliked this album and so far this album is my choice for "Letdown of the Year."
I read that Sanders has 'vast knowledge of egyptian mythology'. Its a little insulting to the effort he's put in to acquiring that knowledge, Mr Reviewer.
Good album, for some reason 2012 has been incredibly lacklustre for good metal albums , this will be in my head for a while.
You know, I dislike Nile, but as far as lyrics and concepts go, they're easily some of the most thought out and interesting in the entire genre. I get the lack of emphasis; I generally don't care about lyrics myself, but they're definitely there, and definitely worth checking out. I owned Annihilation of the Wicked for a long time, and I would read through the booklet even when I didn't have the album on.
I'm a big fan of Nile, and I thought that this album was a huge let down. The death metal aspects were watered down across the board in favor of pseudo-proggy elements. In fact, Nuclear Blast went so far as to label the album genre as "Progressive Metal."
The vocals were very different, often "shouted," and production was poor (unlike the reviewer, I found the guitar tone to be terrible, particularly how thin it was), and pretty much every song starts out with same little "tribal" sounding drum parts. There really wasn't even a single memorable riff on the whole album.
The only two positive things that come to mind are George Kollias's drumming (which is stellar as always) and the solos, which, while not amazing, were actually decent. For me this has always been a major weak spot for Nile: the decision to include the worst solos ever in their songs.
I really disliked this album and so far this album is my choice for "Letdown of the Year."
I'm with this guy.
I love Nile's older stuff (not huge on black seeds or catacombs), annihilation of the wicked being my favorite album of theirs. However, I thought this album was just "okay." Don't care what other people say, but I really liked those whom the gods detest, I thought it was a great album, and I welcomed the change in vocals and increase in production heartily. I was hoping they'd continue the trend with Sethu, but they let me down. After a few listens, this album started to grow on me, but it still doesn't compare to their older material, and the production is far from stellar. My 2 cents.
TWTGD was better i think but still another great album from these masters. also review has it all wrong with the lyrics...i find especially with nile the music is structured to emphasise the lyrics! great album...title track is the highlight for me
EpiExplorer wrote:
for some reason 2012 has been incredibly lacklustre for good metal albums, this will be in my head for a while.
Clearly you've not heard many albums from this year.
Depends on what you mean by metal. Someone mentioned the contortionist, I heard it and laughed.
No, not them. I'd laugh too... The world doesnt need any more deathcore or djent or anything.
There've been plenty of exemplary releases, however, from Ne Obliviscaris, Wodensthrone, Dodsengel, If these Trees Could Talk, Ahab, Anhedonist, and plenty more if I cared to go into an epic list.
Whenever someone starts a review by shitting on other genres, I completely stop paying attention. Stop talking about other genres and just review the ****ing album, no one cares if you do or don't like djent or death core. It's like going to a steak house and mentioning that you're not fond of sushi...who give a ****, you're in a steak house. Luckily I know Nile is the shit so I'll check it out despite this shitty album review. Seriously, saying that minimal effort was put into this review would be a compliment.
EpiExplorer wrote:
for some reason 2012 has been incredibly lacklustre for good metal albums, this will be in my head for a while.
Clearly you've not heard many albums from this year.
Depends on what you mean by metal. Someone mentioned the contortionist, I heard it and laughed.
No, not them. I'd laugh too... The world doesnt need any more deathcore or djent or anything.
There've been plenty of exemplary releases, however, from Ne Obliviscaris, Wodensthrone, Dodsengel, If these Trees Could Talk, Ahab, Anhedonist, and plenty more if I cared to go into an epic list.
Actually, I'll give you Ne Obliviscaris. Anyone interested in truly beautiful music should check out Portal of I, their latest album.
Nile is fantastic, but this one isn't as good as "Those Whom The Gods Detest".
It's their fastest album, has their best solos, but is justifiably their most mediocre effort since Ithyphallic. I do really like the album, but only to occasionally put in my stereo to listen to something different than my normal. In which cases, TWTGD, AOW and ITDS will likely make it in there first.
but this album is better in my opinion. I really liked the change in production on this album as well.
Dude...
Haven't listened to it yet, I'll do it anytime soon. I would not put Nile among my favorite death metal bands, but damn, they're brutal as ****. Gives me some headbanging every time I listen to them.